Device and Method of Configuring a Handover

ABSTRACT

This document describes methods and devices for a handover of a user equipment ( 110 ) from source base station (a Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) base station ( 121 )) to a target base station (another 5G NR base station ( 123 ) or an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network base station ( 122 )). The source base station ( 121 ), which is in communication with the user equipment ( 110 ), determines to handover the user equipment ( 110 ) to the target base station ( 123,122 ). The source base station ( 121 ), then determines whether to use a delta configuration or a full configuration for handing over the user equipment ( 110 ). For the full configuration, the source base station ( 121 ) either excludes the delta configuration from, or indicates use of the full configuration in, handover preparation information. By so doing, the source base station ( 121 ) enables handover of the user equipment ( 110 ) to the target base station ( 123,122 ).

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/715,899 filed Aug. 8, 2018, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The evolution of wireless communication to fifth generation (5G)standards and technologies provides higher data rates and greatercapacity with improved reliability and lower latency, which enhancesmobile broadband services. 5G technologies also provide new classes ofservice for vehicular networking, fixed wireless broadband, and theInternet of Things (IoT).

Use of 5G technologies, however, presents certain challenges, such asthose involving handover techniques. Conventional handover techniquesused for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) networks,for example, do not properly address handovers within 5G networks orbetween 5G and E-UTRA networks.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts forconfiguring a handover. The simplified concepts are further described inthe Detailed Description below. This summary is not intended to identifyessential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended foruse in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Methods, devices, systems, and means for configuring a handover aredescribed, including communicating, by the 5G NR source base station,with a user equipment device (UE) based on a first plurality ofconfigurations and determining, based on a measurement report from theUE, to handover the UE from the 5G NR source base station to the targetbase station. Also included are sending, to the target base station, afirst interface message including a Handover Preparation Informationmessage, receiving, by the 5G NR source base station, a second interfacemessage, the second interface message containing a Radio ResourceControl (RRC) message, and determining, by the 5G NR source basestation, whether to use configuration information received in the secondinterface message as a delta configuration or a full configuration forhanding over the UE to the target base station. Responsive todetermining to use the configuration information received in the secondinterface message as a full configuration, indicating, in the RadioResource Control (RRC) message to the UE, to use the configurationinformation as a full configuration, the indicating effective tocomplete the handover from the 5G NR source base station to the targetbase station. Responsive to determining to not use the configurationinformation as a full configuration, the methods, device or means usethe configuration information as a plurality of delta configurations.

There is provided a method for performing a handover from a source basestation to a target base station, the method comprising: communicating,by the source base station, with a user equipment based on a firstconfiguration of a first plurality of configurations corresponding to acurrent user equipment configuration of the user equipment; determining,based on for example a measurement report from the user equipment, toperform the handover of the user equipment from the source base stationto the target base station; determining, by the source base station,whether to use configuration information as a delta configuration thatcorresponds to modifying the first configuration or first plurality ofconfigurations, or a full configuration that corresponds to replacingthe first configuration or first plurality of configurations with secondconfiguration information, for the performing the handover of the userequipment; configuring a radio resource control message based on thedetermining whether to use the configuration information as the deltaconfiguration or the full configuration; and transmitting, to the userequipment, the configured radio resource control message to direct theuser equipment to modify the current user equipment configuration, basedon the configuration information, for the performing the handover. Themethod may further comprise one or more of the following: determiningone or more factors associated with performing the handover that affectthe first configuration or first plurality of configurations; preparinga Handover Preparation Information message by determining, for examplebased on the one or more factors, whether to include one or moreconditionally present fields in the Handover Preparation Informationmessage; generating a first interface message that includes the preparedHandover Preparation Information message; sending, to the target basestation, the first interface message; receiving, by the source basestation, a second interface message, the second interface messageincluding the radio resource control message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects for configuring a handover are described with reference to thefollowing drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings toreference like features and components:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network environment in whichvarious aspects for configuring a handover can be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example device diagram for devices that canimplement various aspects for configuring a handover in the examplewireless network environment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover.

FIGS. 4-1 and 4-2 illustrate an example method for configuring ahandover from a perspective of a 5G NR source base station, the examplemethod including use of a full configuration.

FIGS. 5-1 and 5-2 illustrate another example method for configuring ahandover from a perspective of a 5G NR source base station, the examplemethod including use of a delta configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover from aperspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS. 3,4-1, and 4-2.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover from aperspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS. 3,5-1, and 5-2.

FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 illustrate an example method for configuring ahandover from a perspective of a 5G NR source base station.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover from aperspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS. 3,8-1, and 8-2.

FIGS. 10-1 and 10-2 illustrate an example method for configuring ahandover from a perspective of a source base station, and relating tomethods of FIGS. 3, 4-1 and 4-1, 5-1 and 5-1, and 8-1- and 8-2.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover from aperspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS. 3,6-1 and 6-1, 7-1 and 7-1, and 9-1- and 9-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

This document describes methods, devices, systems, and means for ahandover of a user equipment (UE) from a source base station (a FifthGeneration (5G) New Radio (NR) base station) to a target base station(another 5G NR base station or a base station corresponding to anEvolved Packet Core (EPC) network base station (e.g., an EvolvedUniversal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) base station). The sourcebase station, which is in communication with the user equipment,determines to hand over the user equipment to the target base station(with or without input from the user equipment). The source base stationthen determines whether to use a delta configuration or a fullconfiguration for handing over the user equipment. For the fullconfiguration, the source base station either excludes a current userequipment configuration from, or indicates use of the full configurationin, handover preparation information. By doing so, the source basestation enables the handover of the user equipment to the target basestation.

Consider, for example, a situation where a user equipment, such as asmartphone, is in communication with a 5G NR base station. Assume thatthe communication quality with the base station is degrading orinsufficient, such as if the smartphone is moving relative to that basestation. The smartphone may send a measurement report to the basestation indicating, among other things, current conditions,configurations, or even preferred target base stations that may provideimproved communication relative to the current base station.

In such a case, a handover of the smartphone from the current (source)base station to a (target) base station is desired. As noted above,however, conventional techniques for handovers are insufficient forhanding over a user equipment from a 5G NR base station to another 5G NRbase station or an LTE base station (e.g., a base station associatedwith an E-UTRA or Evolved Patent Core network).

In LTE-to-LTE handovers, conventional techniques include passing of adelta configuration from a target LTE base station to a source LTE basestation. These delta configurations include details about a change, ordelta, to a current user equipment configuration with the source inorder to complete a handover to the target. This change can be requireddue to various factors, such as the source and target base stationsbeing different, e.g., being manufactured by different makers, havingdifferent protocols, and so forth.

Passing of a current user equipment configuration currently configuredto the UE from the source to the target, in the case of 5G NR to 5G NRor E-UTRA base stations, however, is often insufficient or ambiguous tothe target base station given that the target has to understand the userequipment configuration and decides whether to reuse that configuration.Because of this, techniques for establishing handovers when a deltaconfiguration is not sufficient are desired and disclosed herein.

While features and concepts of the described systems and methods forhandovers can be implemented in any number of different environments,systems, and/or devices, aspects of these handover techniques aredescribed in the context of the following example devices and systems.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100, which includes multipleuser equipment 110 (UE 110), illustrated as UE 111, UE 112, and UE 113.Each UE 110 can communicate with base stations 120 (illustrated as basestations 121, 122, 123, and 124) through one or more wirelesscommunication links 130 (wireless link 130), illustrated as wirelesslinks 131 and 132. For simplicity, the UE 110 is implemented as asmartphone but may be implemented as any suitable computing orelectronic device, such as a mobile communication device, modem,cellular phone, gaming device, navigation device, media device, laptopcomputer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smart appliance,vehicle-based communication system, or an Internet-of-Things (IoT)device such as a sensor or an actuator. The base stations 120 (e.g., anEvolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network Node B, E-UTRAN NodeB, evolved Node B, eNodeB, eNB, Next Generation Node B, gNode B, gNB,ng-eNB, or the like) may be implemented in a macrocell, microcell, smallcell, picocell, or the like, or any combination thereof.

The base stations 120 communicate with the UE 110 using the wirelesslinks 131 and 132, which may be implemented as any suitable type ofwireless link. The wireless links 131 and 132 include control and datacommunication, such as downlink of data and control informationcommunicated from the base stations 120 to the UE 110, uplink of otherdata and control information communicated from the UE 110 to the basestations 120, or both. The wireless links 130 may include one or morewireless links (e.g., radio links) or bearers implemented using anysuitable communication protocol or standard, or combination ofcommunication protocols or standards, such as 3rd Generation PartnershipProject Long-Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), Fifth Generation New Radio (5GNR), and so forth. Multiple wireless links 130 may be aggregated in acarrier aggregation to provide a higher data rate for the UE 110.Multiple wireless links 130 from multiple base stations 120 may beconfigured for Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) communication with the UE110.

The base stations 120 are collectively a Radio Access Network 140 (e.g.,RAN, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN, 5G NRRAN or NR RAN). The RANs 140 are illustrated as an NR RAN 141 and anE-UTRAN 142. The base stations 121 and 123 in the NR RAN 141 areconnected to a Fifth Generation Core 150 (5GC 150) network. The basestations 122 and 124 in the E-UTRAN 142 are connected to an EvolvedPacket Core 160 (EPC 160). Optionally or additionally, the base station122 may connect to both the 5GC 150 and EPC 160 networks.

The base stations 121 and 123 connect, at 102 and 104 respectively, tothe 5GC 150 through an NG2 interface for control-plane signaling andusing an NG3 interface for user-plane data communications. The basestations 122 and 124 connect, at 106 and 108 respectively, to the EPC160 using an S1 interface for control-plane signaling and user-planedata communications. Optionally or additionally, if the base station 122connects to the 5GC 150 and EPC 160 networks, the base station 122connects to the 5GC 150 using an NG2 interface for control-planesignaling and through an NG3 interface for user-plane datacommunications, at 180.

In addition to connections to core networks, the base stations 120 maycommunicate with each other. For example, the base stations 121 and 123communicate through an Xn interface at 103, the base stations 122 and123 communicate through an Xn interface at 105, and the base stations122 and 124 communicate through an X2 interface at 107.

The 5GC 150 includes an Access and Mobility Management Function 152 (AMF152), which provides control-plane functions, such as registration andauthentication of multiple UE 110, authorization, and mobilitymanagement in the 5G NR network. The EPC 160 includes a MobilityManagement Entity 162 (MME 162), which provides control-plane functions,such as registration and authentication of multiple UE 110,authorization, or mobility management in the E-UTRA network. The AMF 152and the MME 162 communicate with the base stations 120 in the RANs 140and also communicate with multiple UE 110, using the base stations 120.

Example Devices

FIG. 2 illustrates an example device diagram 200 of the UE 110 and thebase stations 120. The UE 110 and the base stations 120 may includeadditional functions and interfaces that are omitted from FIG. 2 for thesake of clarity. The UE 110 includes antennas 202, a radio frequencyfront end 204 (RF front end 204), an LTE transceiver 206, and a 5G NRtransceiver 208 for communicating with base stations 120 in the 5G RAN141 and/or the E-UTRAN 142. The RF front end 204 of the UE 110 cancouple or connect the LTE transceiver 206, and the 5G NR transceiver 208to the antennas 202 to facilitate various types of wirelesscommunication. The antennas 202 of the UE 110 may include an array ofmultiple antennas that are configured similar to or differently fromeach other. The antennas 202 and the RF front end 204 can be tuned to,and/or be tunable to, one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPPLTE and 5G NR communication standards and implemented by the LTEtransceiver 206, and/or the 5G NR transceiver 208. Additionally, theantennas 202, the RF front end 204, the LTE transceiver 206, and/or the5G NR transceiver 208 may be configured to support beamforming for thetransmission and reception of communications with the base stations 120.By way of example and not limitation, the antennas 202 and the RF frontend 204 can be implemented for operation in sub-gigahertz bands, sub-6GHZ bands, and/or above 6 GHz bands that are defined by the 3GPP LTE and5G NR communication standards.

The UE 110 also includes processor(s) 210 and computer-readable storagemedia 212 (CRM 212). The processor 210 may be a single core processor ora multiple core processor composed of a variety of materials, such assilicon, polysilicon, high-K dielectric, copper, and so on. Thecomputer-readable storage media described herein excludes propagatingsignals. CRM 212 may include any suitable memory or storage device suchas random-access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or Flash memory usableto store device data 214 of the UE 110. The device data 214 includesuser data, multimedia data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and/oran operating system of the UE 110, which are executable by processor(s)210 to enable user-plane communication, control-plane signaling, anduser interaction with the UE 110.

CRM 212 also includes instructions for implementing a handover handler216. Alternately or additionally, the handover handler 216 may beimplemented in whole or part as hardware logic or circuitry integratedwith or separate from other components of the UE 110. In at least someaspects, the handover handler 216 configures the RF front end 204, theLTE transceiver 206, and/or the 5G NR transceiver 208 to implement thetechniques for configuring a handover described herein.

The device diagram for the base stations 120, shown in FIG. 2, includesa single network node or multiple network nodes (e.g., eNB, a gNode B ornext generation eNB). The functionality of the base stations 120 may bedistributed across multiple network nodes or devices and may bedistributed in any fashion suitable to perform the functions describedherein. The base stations 120 include antennas 252, a radio frequencyfront end 254 (RF front end 254), one or more LTE transceivers 256,and/or one or more 5G NR transceivers 258 for communicating with the UE110. The RF front end 254 of the base stations 120 can couple or connectthe LTE transceivers 256 and the 5G NR transceivers 258 to the antennas252 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antennas252 of the base stations 120 may include an array of multiple antennasthat are configured similar to or differently from each other. Theantennas 252 and the RF front end 254 can be tuned to, and/or be tunableto, one or more frequency band defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NRcommunication standards, and implemented by the LTE transceivers 256,and/or the 5G NR transceivers 258. Additionally, the antennas 252, theRF front end 254, the LTE transceivers 256, and/or the 5G NRtransceivers 258 may be configured to support beamforming, such asMassive-MIMO, for the transmission and reception of communications withthe UE 110.

The base stations 120 also include processor(s) 260 andcomputer-readable storage media 262 (CRM 262). The processor 260 may bea single core processor or a multiple core processor composed of avariety of materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-K dielectric,copper, and so on. CRM 262 may include any suitable memory or storagedevice such as random-access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamicRAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or Flashmemory usable to store device data 264 of the base stations 120. Thedevice data 264 includes network scheduling data, radio resourcemanagement data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and/or anoperating system of the base stations 120, which are executable byprocessor(s) 260 to enable communication with the UE 110.

CRM 262 also includes instructions for implementing a handover manager266. Alternately or additionally, the handover manager 266 may beimplemented in whole or part as hardware logic or circuitry integratedwith or separate from other components of the base stations 120. In atleast some aspects, the handover manager 266 performs, in whole or inpart when acting as a source base station, the techniques describedherein. The handover manager 266 configures the LTE transceivers 256 andthe 5G NR transceivers 258 for communication with the UE 110, as well ascommunication with a core network. The base stations 120 include aninter-base station interface 268, such as an Xn and/or X2 interface,which the handover manager 266 configures to exchange user-plane andcontrol-plane data between another base station 120 (including handoversbetween them), to manage the communication of the base stations 120 withthe UE 110. The base stations 120 include a core network interface 270that the handover manager 266 configures to exchange user-plane andcontrol-plane data with core network functions and entities.

Example Methods

Example methods 300-900 are described with reference to FIGS. 3-9 inaccordance with one or more aspects for configuring a handover. Theorder in which the method blocks are described are not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described method blockscan be combined in any order to implement a method or an alternatemethod. Generally, any of the components, modules, methods, andoperations described herein can be implemented using software, firmware,hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or anycombination thereof. Some operations of the example methods may bedescribed in the general context of executable instructions stored oncomputer-readable storage memory that is local and/or remote to acomputer processing system, and implementations can include softwareapplications, programs, functions, and the like. Alternatively or inaddition, any of the functionality described herein can be performed, atleast in part, by one or more hardware logic components, such as, andwithout limitation, Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs),Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specificStandard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SoCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and the like.

Configuring a Handover

FIG. 3 illustrates example method(s) 300 for configuring a handover asgenerally related to protocol processing by the source base station in ahandover in accordance with aspects of the techniques described herein.

At block 302, a source base station determines, based on a measurementreport from a connected user equipment (e.g., UE 111) with which thesource base station (e.g., gNB base station 121) is in communication, tohandover the UE from the source base station to a target base station(e.g., ng-eNB base station 122, gNB base station 123, or eNB basestation 124). In one example, a 5G NR source base station (e.g., gNBbase station 121) determines, based on a measurement report from a UEwith which the SGNR source base station is in communication, to handoverthe UE from the 5G NR source base station to a 5G NR target base station(e.g., gNB base station 123) or an E-UTRA target base station (e.g.,ng-eNB base station 122 or eNB base station 124). In another example, anE-UTRA source base station (e.g., ng-eNB base station 122 or eNB basestation 124) determines, based on a measurement report from the UE withwhich the E-UTRA source base station is in communication, to handoverthe UE (e.g., UE 111) from the E-UTRA source base station to a 5GC NRtarget base station (e.g., gNB base station 121).

At block 304, the source base station may prepare the UE for handover.This is further described below, including with blocks in methods 400,500, and 800.

At block 306, the source base station determines whether or not to use adelta configuration for handing over the UE to the target base station.This determination can be based on various factors, including, byexample only, specifications for the target base station, whether thetarget base station is a gNB, an ng-eNB, or an eNB base station, carrierfrequency (e.g., NR carrier frequency, NR radio band, E-UTRA carrierfrequency, E-UTRA radio band) of the target base station, a core network(e.g., EPC or 5GC) of the target base station, manufacturer, supportedprotocols and protocol versions, and so forth. Effectively, thetechniques may determine that a delta configuration is sufficient (thisis often the case for LTE-to-LTE handovers), or that a deltaconfiguration is not sufficient.

If the delta configuration is not sufficient, the source base station(e.g., the handover manager 266 of FIG. 2), determines to use a fullconfiguration. The full configuration may require the target basestation to determine which configuration will work for communicationbetween the UE and the target base station, which as noted can varysubstantially based on the UE and the target base station. Thus, a UEmay be incapable of some types of communication with the target basestation, and thus the target base station may have to determine whichconfiguration is appropriate according to capabilities of the UE.

At block 308, based on determining to use the delta configuration, thesource base station includes, in a handover preparation informationmessage, the current UE configuration. This current UE configuration isconfigured to the UE and has been used by the UE to communicate with thesource base station. This current UE configuration is a configurationenabling communication between the user equipment and the source basestation, and therefore often is not equivalent to the deltaconfiguration or the full configuration.

At block 310, the source base station, responsive to determining to usethe full configuration, excludes the current UE configuration from thehandover preparation information message sent to the target basestation. This can be effective to cause the target base station todetermine an appropriate configuration, as noted above, because nocurrent UE configuration exists in the message. One advantage to notsending the current UE configuration is fewer resources being neededbecause the handover preparation information message-size decreases.Thus, the communication costs can be lower when forgoing the UEconfiguration for the source base station and core network nodesinvolved in preparing the handover.

At block 312, alternatively or in addition to block 310, the source basestation, responsive to determining to use the full configuration,indicates, in the handover preparation information, to use the fullconfiguration. This causes the target base station to determine anappropriate full configuration.

FIGS. 4-1 and 4-2 illustrates example method(s) 400 for configuring ahandover as generally related to using a full configuration andexcluding a delta configuration from a handover preparation information.FIG. 4 provides further details with respect to the FIG. 3 flow-diagrambranch where a delta configuration will not be used.

At block 402, a source base station transmits a first plurality ofconfigurations to a user equipment (UE). This first plurality ofconfigurations is not equivalent to a second plurality ofconfigurations, e.g., a full or delta configuration, which are describedin greater detail below. Thus, the original configuration settings, alsoreferred to as the current UE configuration, should not be confused withfull or delta configurations. In one example, the 5G NR base station(e.g., gNB base station 121) transmits configurations to the UE 111 toestablish communication between the source base station and the UE,which results in current UE configurations being established. In anotherexample, the E-UTRA base station (e.g., ng-eNB base station 122 or eNBbase station 124) transmits configurations to the UE (e.g., UE 111). Inone example, the first plurality of configurations includes ameasurement configuration or the measurement report, which is associatedwith the measurement configuration. The first plurality ofconfigurations may include at least one of: a physical layerconfiguration, a medium access control (MAC) configuration, a radio linkcontrol (RLC) configuration, or a radio bearer (RB) configuration.

At block 404, the source base station communicates with the UE accordingto the first plurality of configurations. These configurations are notedin part above, and the first plurality of configurations permitcommunication to be established between the source base station and theUE (e.g., the gNB base station 121 and the UE 111, the ng-eNB basestation 122 and UE 111, or the eNB base station 124 and UE 111).

At block 406, the source base station receives, from the UE, ameasurement report. This report can be any of those describedpreviously.

At block 408, the source base station determines to hand over the UE toa target base station in response to measurement report. Assume herethat measurement report indicated a poor connection with the source basestation, a good signal strength of the target base station, a request toswitch to another base station, and so forth. Alternately or inaddition, in determining to hand over the UE to the target base station,the source base station determines and/or analyzes any combination offactors, such as the type of the target base station (e.g., 5G NR,E-UTRA), a carrier frequency of the target base station, a core networkof the target base station, a manufacturer, supported protocols andprotocol versions, etc. Blocks 402, 404, 406, and 408 provide precursorsand details to FIG. 3 block 302.

With reference to block 304 of FIG. 3, at block 410, which may becombined with block 412, the source base station generates a firstinterface message for the UE in response to the determination at block408. At block 412, the source base station includes a HandoverPreparation Information message in the first interface message andincludes at least one UE Capability information element (IE) of the UEin the Handover Preparation Information message. The at least one UECapability IE includes NR capabilities of the UE or E-UTRA capabilitiesof the UE.

With reference to block 310 of FIG. 3, at block 414, the source basestation does not include the first plurality of configurations(mentioned previously with respect to blocks 402, 404) in the HandoverPreparation Information message if the source base station determines touse full configuration for handing over the UE to the target basestation.

At block 416, the source base station sends the first interface message(e.g., a Handover Request message) to the target base station or sendsthe first interface message (e.g., a Handover Required message) to a CN(core network) node, such as the AMF 152 or the MME 162. In more detail,the CN node is the AMF 152 for a handover from the 5G NR base station tothe E-UTRA base station. The CN node, for a handover from a 5G NR basestation to another 5G NR base station is also the AMF 152. The CN nodeis either the AMF 152 or the MME 162 for a handover from the E-UTRA basestation to the NR base station. Thus, the source base station (e.g., thegNB base station 121 or the ng-eNB base station 122) sends the firstinterface message to the target base station (e.g., the gNB base station123 or the eNB base station 124).

At block 418, the source base station receives a second interfacemessage (e.g., a Handover Request Acknowledge message) sent by thetarget base station or a second interface message (e.g., a HandoverCommand message) sent by the CN node (here a source CN node) in responseto the first interface message being sent by the source base station.The second interface message includes a Radio Resource Control (RRC)message for the UE to handover to the target base station. The targetbase station may generate a second plurality of configurations in theRRC message for the UE according to the at least one UE Capability IE ofthe UE. As noted previously, the second plurality of configurations isin contrast to the current UE configurations.

With reference to block 312 of FIG. 3, at block 420, the source basestation transmits the RRC message with a full configuration indicator tothe UE to direct the UE to handover to the target base station. Notethat this RRC message is a RRC handover command message, such as anRRCConnectionReconfiguration message for handover from NR to E-UTRA(e.g., from gNB base station 121 to ng-eNB base station 122 or 124) oran RRCReconfiguration message for handover from E-UTRA to NR (e.g., fromng-eNB to base station 122 or eNB base station 124 to gNB base station121) or for handover from NR to NR (e.g., from gNB base station 121 togNB base station 123). In more detail, the UE may release a MAC or RLCentity responsive to receiving the RRC message. In one example, the RRCmessage may include a first RRC Reconfiguration message. The first RRCReconfiguration message may comprise a ReconfigurationWithSync IE. Thefirst RRC Reconfiguration message includes the second plurality ofconfigurations, which is applied by the UE as a full configuration(e.g., without reference the first plurality of configurations sent atblock 402). The second plurality of configurations may include at leastone of: a random access channel (RACH) configuration, a physical layerconfiguration, a MAC configuration, an RLC configuration, or an RBconfiguration. This second plurality of configurations may be differentfrom the first plurality of configurations sent at block 402. Note thatthis does not preclude the second plurality of configurations fromhaving at least one configuration in common with the first plurality ofconfigurations. In implementations, the source base station analyzes thecombination of factors associated with performing the handover thataffect the first plurality of configurations (e.g., the type of thetarget base station, a carrier frequency of the target base station, acore network of the target base station, a manufacturer, supportedprotocols and protocol versions, etc.) to assemble and/or modify the RRCmessage transmitted to the UE.

In one example of the above method 400, the source base station maydetermine to (or be configured to) use the full configuration, such aswhen the target base station does not support a delta configuration.Thus, the source base station may determine to (or be configured to) usethe full configuration since the source and target base stations aremade by different network vendors. Because the target base station maynot recognize one or more configurations of the first plurality ofconfigurations, the source base station may select a full configuration.Another reason for the source base station selecting a fullconfiguration is if the target base station received the first pluralityof configurations, the target base station would produce an error whiledecoding the first plurality of configurations.

Further, in a case where the handover involves the AMF (e.g., 152)between two 5G NR base stations (e.g., 121,123) or between a 5G NR basestation (e.g., 121) and an E-UTRA base station (e.g., 122), the AMFreceives the first interface message (e.g., a Handover Required message)and may send a third interface message (e.g., a Handover Requestmessage) to the target base station in response to the first interfacemessage. The third interface message may include the HandoverPreparation Information message. The target base station sends a fourthinterface message (e.g., a Handover Request Acknowledge message) to theAMF in response to the third interface message. The fourth interfacemessage may include the RRC message. The AMF 152 sends the secondinterface message (e.g., a Handover Command message including the RRCmessage) to the source base station in response to the fourth interfacemessage.

Further still, in a case where the handover involves an inter-CNhandover (e.g., handover from 5GC to EPC or handover from EPC to 5GC),such as handover from a 5G NR base station to an E-UTRA target basestation (through the AMF 152 and the MME 162 of FIG. 1), or handoverfrom an E-UTRA target base station to a 5G NR base station (through MME162 and AMF 152 of FIG. 1), the source CN node (e.g., AMF 152 or MME162) sends a third interface message (e.g., a Forward Relocation Requestmessage) to a target CN node (e.g., MME 162 or AMF 152). The thirdinterface message requests handing over a UE to the target base stationand includes a Handover Preparation Information message. The target CNnode sends a fourth interface message (e.g., the Handover Requestmessage) to the target base station in response to the third interfacemessage. The fourth interface message includes the Handover PreparationInformation message for handing over the UE to the target base station.The target CN node receives a fifth interface message (e.g., theHandover Request Acknowledge message) responding to the fourth interfacemessage from the target base station, the fifth interface messageincludes the RRC message for handing over the UE to the target basestation. The target CN node sends a sixth interface message (e.g., aForward Relocation Response) to the source CN node, and the sixthinterface message includes the RRC message and responds to the thirdinterface message. Then the source CN node sends the second interfacemessage including the RRC message in response to receiving the sixthinterface message.

The first interface message or the fourth interface message may includeProtocol Data Unit (PDU) Session information (e.g., PDU SessionResources To Be Setup List or PDU Session Resources List). The targetbase station may receive the PDU Session information from the sourcebase station via the first interface message or from the CN node via thefourth interface message, and generate one or more of the secondplurality of configurations according to the PDU Session information.The target base station may generate the RB configuration in the secondplurality of configurations according to the PDU Session information.For example, the RB configuration may include a PDU Session identity(ID) included in the PDU Session information.

Other examples include the Handover Preparation Information messageexcluding an RRC Reconfiguration message that includes the firstplurality of configurations in order exclude the first plurality ofconfigurations. In another variant, the source base station transmits atleast one second RRC Reconfiguration message including the firstplurality of configurations to the UE. The source base station receivesfrom the UE at least one second RRC Reconfiguration Complete messageresponding to the at least one second RRC Reconfiguration message.

The UE performs a random access (RA) procedure with the target basestation according to the RACH configuration of the second plurality ofconfigurations. The target base station may receive an RRC responsemessage (e.g., first RRC Reconfiguration Complete message) responding tothe RRC message from the UE.

FIGS. 5-1 and 5-2 illustrates example method(s) 500 for configuring ahandover as generally related to a determination to use a deltaconfiguration in a handover. FIG. 5 provides further details withrespect to the FIG. 3 flow diagram branch when a delta configurationwill be used.

At block 502, a source base station transmits a first plurality ofconfigurations to a user equipment (UE). For example, the gNB basestation 121 transmits configurations to the UE 111. The first pluralityof configurations includes at least one of: a physical layerconfiguration, a medium access control (MAC) configuration, a radio linkcontrol (RLC) configuration, and an RB configuration. These areeffective to establish a current UE configuration, as noted herein,between the source base station and the UE.

At block 504, the source base station communicates with the UE accordingto the first plurality of configurations. These configurations are notedin part above, and permit communication to be established between thesource base station and the UE (e.g., the gNB base station 121 and theUE 111).

At block 506, the source base station receives, from the UE, ameasurement report. This report can be any of those described above. Inone example, the first plurality of configurations sent at block 502includes a measurement configuration and the measurement report of block506 is associated to the measurement configuration.

With reference to block 302 of FIG. 3, at block 508, the source basestation determines to handover the UE to a target base station (e.g.,gNB base station 123 or ng-eNB base station 122) in response to themeasurement report. Assume here that measurement report indicated a poorconnection with the source base station, a good signal strength of thetarget base station, or a request to switch to another base station, andso forth. Alternately or in addition, in determining to hand over the UEto the target base station, the source base station determines and/oranalyzes any combination of factors, such as the type of the target basestation (e.g., 5G NR, E-UTRA), a carrier frequency of the target basestation, a core network of the target base station, a manufacturer,supported protocols and protocol versions, etc. Blocks 502, 504, 506,and 508 provide precursors and details to FIG. 3 block 302.

With reference to block 304 of FIG. 3, at block 510, which may becombined with block 512, the source base station generates a firstinterface message for the UE in response to the determination at block508. At block 512, with reference to block 308, the source base stationincludes a Handover Preparation Information message in the firstinterface message and includes at least one UE Capability informationelement (IE) of the UE in the Handover Preparation Information message.Note that blocks 510 and 512 may be combined. The first interfacemessage may include Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session information (e.g.,PDU Session Resources To Be Setup List or PDU Session Resources List).

With reference to block 308 of FIG. 3, at block 514, which may becombined with blocks 510 and 512, the source base station includes thefirst plurality of configurations (mentioned previously with respect toblocks 502, 504) in the Handover Preparation Information message if thesource base station determines to use the delta configuration forhanding over the UE to the target base station. The source base stationmay determine to (or be configured to) use the delta configuration, ifthe target base station supports the delta configuration. In oneexample, the source base station may determine to (or be configured to)use the delta configuration since the source and target base stationsare made by the same network vendors. Hence, the target base station mayrecognize the first plurality of configurations and create a deltaconfiguration for the RRC message intended for the UE. Thus, the sourcebase station includes the first plurality of configurations in theHandover Preparation Information message.

At block 516, the source base station sends the first interface message(e.g., a Handover Request message) to the target base station or sendsthe first interface message (e.g., a Handover Required message) to a CN(core network) node, such as the AMF 152. Thus, the source base station(e.g., the gNB base station 121) sends the first interface message tothe target base station (e.g., the gNB base station 123 or the ng-eNBbase station 122) or the AMF 152.

For the case where the CN node receives the first interface message, theCN node sends a third interface message (e.g., a Handover Requestmessage) including the Handover Preparation Information message to thetarget base station. The target base station receives the firstplurality of configurations in the Handover Preparation Informationmessage in the first interface message or the third interface message.The target base station may generate an RB configuration in the secondplurality of configurations according to one of the RB configuration(s)in the first plurality of configurations. The RB configuration mayinclude an RB identity included in the one of the RB configuration(s)included in the first plurality of configurations. The RB configurationmay include a PDU Session ID included in the one of the RBconfiguration(s) in the first plurality of configurations. The targetbase station may receive the PDU Session information from the sourcebase station via the first interface message from the source basestation or via the third interface message from the CN node. The PDUSession information may include the PDU Session ID same as the PDUSession ID included in the one of the RB configuration(s) in the firstplurality of configurations.

At block 518, the source base station receives a second interfacemessage (e.g., a Handover Request Acknowledge message) sent by thetarget base station or a second interface message (e.g., a HandoverCommand message) sent by the CN node in response to the first interfacemessage being sent by the source base station. The second interfacemessage includes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) message for the UE tohandover to the target base station.

At block 520, the source base station transmits the RRC message to theUE. In more detail, the UE may release a MAC or RLC entity responsive toreceiving the RRC message. The target base station generates the RRCmessage based on the first plurality of configurations. The RRC messagecontains a second plurality of configurations to change a subset of thefirst plurality of configurations, where a configuration delta isindicated because the RRC message does not include the fullconfiguration indicator (described above and for method 800 below). Thesecond plurality of configurations may update one or more configurationsof the first plurality of configurations stored in the UE (e.g., thosesent at block 502). In implementations, the source base station analyzesthe combination of factors associated with performing the handover thataffect the first plurality of configurations (e.g., the type of thetarget base station, a carrier frequency of the target base station, acore network of the target base station, a manufacturer, supportedprotocols and protocol versions, etc.) to assemble and/or modify the RRCmessage transmitted to the UE.

For example, one of the second plurality of configurations may update asingle configuration in the first plurality of configurations. Thus, thesecond plurality of configurations may result in a new configuration notexisting in the first plurality of configurations. The UE knows thesecond plurality of configurations contain delta configurations relativeto the first plurality of configurations because the RRC message doesnot include a full configuration indicator. The UE updates the pluralityof configurations according to the second plurality of configurations,e.g., upon successfully handing over to the target base station. Thesecond plurality of configurations may include a ReconfigurationWithSyncIE. The second plurality of configurations may include a different RACHconfiguration than the RACH configuration in the first plurality ofconfigurations or a different radio network temporary identifier (RNTI)(e.g., a cell RNTI) than a RNTI (e.g., a cell RNTI) in the firstplurality of configurations. The UE uses configurations included in thefirst plurality of configurations and not updated by the secondplurality of configurations to communicate with the target base station.As noted in part above, other interface messages can be sent to thetarget base station in response to the first interface message,including the above-described third and fourth interface message.

In one example, the source base station transmits at least one secondRRC Reconfiguration message including the second plurality ofconfigurations to the UE. The source base station receives from the UEat least one second RRC Reconfiguration Complete message responding tothe at least one second RRC Reconfiguration message. In one example, atstep 514, the Handover Preparation Information contains a third RRCReconfiguration message including the plurality of configurations toinclude the plurality of configurations in the Handover PreparationInformation message.

Methods 400 and 500 may work separately or together in whole or in part,such as when a source base station hands over one or two UEs to twodifferent target base stations.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for configuring a handover froma perspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS.3, 4-1, and 4-2. As noted above, method 600 of FIG. 6 is from theperspective of a target base station corresponding to methods 300 and400 in which a source base station configures a handover. Here theportion of method 300 that corresponds to method 600 is the “Don't UseDelta” branch and for method 400, in which the source base station alsodetermines to not use the delta configuration. Method 600 may work inconjunction with, wholly or in part, with method 300 or 400, such as,for example, block 304, block 305, and block 310 of FIG. 3, or block410, block 412, block 414, and block 416 of FIG. 4-1 and FIG. 4-2.

At block 602, a target base station receives a first interface messagefrom a source base station or a CN node. For example, the firstinterface message may be a Handover Request message from source CN 150requesting handing over the UE 111 to the target base station. The firstinterface message includes a Handover Preparation Information message,such as the Handover Preparation Information message described withrespect to block 304, block 306, and block 310, or block 410, block 412,and block 414.

At block 604, the target base station sends, to the source base stationor the CN node, a second interface message responding to the firstinterface message, such as that described with reference to block 418 ofFIG. 4-2. This second interface message may be a Handover RequestAcknowledge message including an RRC message (for handing over the UE tothe target base station).

At block 606, the target base station includes a full configurationindicator in the RRC message if the Handover Preparation Informationmessage does not include the first plurality of configurations (e.g.,set at block 402 or 502). These configurations were configured by thesource base station to the UE 111 prior to the target base stationreceiving 602 the first interface message.

By way of example with reference to FIG. 1, 5G NR gNB base station 121or gNB base station 123 act as source base stations and the other ofthese base stations or the E-UTRA ng-eNB base station 122 or eNB basestation 124 act as the target base stations, with the UE being the UE111.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover from aperspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS. 3,5-1, and 5-2. As noted above, method 700 of FIG. 7 is from theperspective of a target base station corresponding to methods 300 and500 in which a source base station configures a handover. Here theportion of method 300 that corresponds to method 700 is the “Use Delta”branch and for method 500, in which the source base station alsodetermines to use the delta configuration. Method 700 may work inconjunction with, wholly or in part, with method 300 or 500, such asblock 304, block 306, and block 308 of FIG. 3, or block 510, block 512,block 514, block 516, and/or block 518 of FIG. 5-1 and FIG. 5-2.

At block 702, a target base station receives a first interface messagefrom a source base station or a CN node. For example, the firstinterface message may include be a Handover Request message requestinghanding over the UE to the target base station, such as that describedwith reference to block 512, block 514, and block 516 of FIG. 5. Thefirst interface message may also include a Handover PreparationInformation message.

At block 704, the target base station sends, to the source base stationor the CN node, a second interface message responding to a firstinterface message, such as that described with reference to block 518 ofFIG. 5. This second interface message may be a Handover RequestAcknowledge message or include an RRC message (for handing over the UEto the target base station).

At block 706, the target base station determines to not include a fullconfiguration indicator in the RRC message if the Handover PreparationInformation message includes the first plurality of configurations. Thetarget base station generates an RRC message as described previously forblock 520. Thus, if configurations sent at block 402 or 502 areincluded, the target base station (e.g., the handover manager 266)determines not to include the full configuration indicator. Here aplurality of delta configurations can be used.

Methods 600 and 700 may operate separately or jointly, in whole or inpart, such as in a case where a target base station handles twointerface message (e.g., Handover Request messages) for one or two UEsfrom two different source base stations.

FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 illustrates example method(s) 800 for configuring ahandover as generally related to a determination to refrain from use ofa delta configuration in a handover, and instead using a fullconfiguration. Method 800 provides further details with respect to themethod 300 flow-diagram branch (to block 312) for when a deltaconfiguration will not be used, such as block 302, block 304, block 306,block 310, and/or block 312 of FIG. 3.

At block 802, a source base station transmits a first plurality ofconfigurations to a user equipment (UE). For example, the gNB basestation 121 transmits configurations to the UE 111.

At block 804, the source base station communicates with the UE accordingto the first plurality of configurations. These configurations are notedin part above, and permit communication to be established between thesource base station and the UE (e.g., the gNB base station 121 and theUE 111).

At block 806, the source base station receives, from the UE, ameasurement report. This report can be any of those described above.

With reference to block 302, at block 808, the source base stationdetermines to handover the UE to a target base station in response tomeasurement report. Assume here that measurement report indicated a poorconnection with the source base station, a good signal strength of thetarget base station, a request to switch to another base station, and soforth. Alternately or in addition, in determining to hand over the UE tothe target base station, the source base station determines and/oranalyzes any combination of factors, such as the type of the target basestation (e.g., 5G NR, E-UTRA), a carrier frequency of the target basestation, a core network of the target base station, a manufacturer,supported protocols and protocol versions, etc.

With reference to block 306 and block 310, at block 810, which may becombined with block 812, the source base station generates a firstinterface message for the UE in response to the determination at block808. At block 812, the source base station includes a HandoverPreparation Information message in the first interface message andincludes at least one UE Capability information element (IE) of the UEin the Handover Preparation Information message. Note that blocks 810and 812 can be combined.

In some cases, the source base station may neither include the fullconfiguration indicator in the Handover Preparation Information message,nor in the first interface message. By so doing, the target base stationcan determine that the delta configuration is required or desired.

With reference to block 312, at block 814, the source base stationindicates, in the Handover Preparation Information message, to use thefull configuration. Note that this indication can be a new, added fieldto a conventional Handover Preparation Information message, such as themessage shown in Table 1, below. As shown, the source base station usesthis message to transfer the RRC information used by the target basestation (in the case of a 5G NR target base station, such as gNB basestation 123). In an alternative example, the source base stationincludes a full configuration indicator in the first interface messageinstead of in the Handover Preparation Information message. Thisindication indicates that the full configuration is required. If thefull configuration indicator is in the first interface message (e.g., aHandover Required message) sent to the CN node (e.g., AMF 152), the CNnode may include a full configuration indicator in a third interfacemessage (e.g., a Handover Request message) sent to the target basestation, to indicate the full configuration is required. The target basestation is aware that the full configuration is desired according to thefull configuration indicator received in the first interface message(e.g., a Handover Request message) for the third message. Thus, thetarget base station generates an RRC message as described for FIG. 4.The target base station sends a second interface message to the firstbase station in response to the first interface message, as described atblock 818. The target base station sends a fourth interface message(e.g., a Handover Request message) including the RRC message to the CNnode in response to the third interface message. The CN node sends thesecond interface message (e.g., a Handover Request message) includingthe RRC message to the source CN node as described at block 818. In oneaspect, the target base station includes a full configuration indicatorin the RRC message.

In some cases, the source base station may neither include the fullconfiguration indicator in the Handover Preparation Information messagenor in the first interface message. By so doing, the target base stationcan determine that the delta configuration is required or desired.

TABLE 1 HandoverPreparationInformation message -- ASN1START --TAG-HANDOVER-PREPARATION-INFORMATION-STARTHandoverPreparationInformation ::= SEQUENCE { criticalExtensions CHOICE{ c1 CHOICE{ handoverPreparationInformationHandoverPreparationInformation-IEs, spare3 NULL, spare2 NULL, spare1NULL }, criticalExtensionsFuture SEQUENCE { } } }HandoverPreparationInformation-IEs ::= SEQUENCE { ue-CapabilityRAT-ListUE-CapabilityRAT-ContainerList, sourceConfig AS-Config OPTIONAL,rrm-Config RRM-Config OPTIONAL, as-Context AS-Context OPTIONAL,nonCriticalExtension SEQUENCE { } OPTIONAL } AS-Config ::= SEQUENCE {rrcReconfiguration OCTET STRING (CONTAINING RRCReconfiguration),  ... }AS-Context ::= SEQUENCE { reestablishmentInfo ReestablishmentInfoOPTIONAL, configRestrictInfo ConfigRestrictInfoSCG OPTIONAL, ..., [[ran-NotificationAreaInfo RAN-AreaInfo OPTIONAL ]] } ReestablishmentInfo::= SEQUENCE { sourcePhysCellId PhysCellId, targetCellShortMAC-IShortMAC-I, additionalReestabInfoList ReestabNCellInfoList OPTIONAL }ReestabNCellInfoList ::= SEQUENCE ( SIZE (1..maxCellPrep) ) OFReestabNCellInfo ReestabNCellInfo::= SEQUENCE{ cellIdentityCellIdentity, key-gNodeB-Star BIT STRING (SIZE (256)), shortMAC-IShortMAC-I } RRM-Config ::= SEQUENCE { ue-InactiveTime ENUMERATED { s1,s2, s3, s5, s7, s10, s15, s20, s25, s30, s40, s50, min1, min1s20c,min1s40, min2, min2s30, min3, min3s30, min4, min5, min6, min7, min8,min9, min10, min12, min14, min17, min20, min24, min28, min33, min38,min44, min50, hr1, hr1min30, hr2, hr2min30, hr3, hr3min30, hr4, hr5,hr6, hr8, hr10, hr13, hr16, hr20, day1, day1hr12, day2, day2hr12, day3,day4, day5, day7, day10, day14, day19, day24, day30, dayMoreThan30}OPTIONAL, candidateCellInfoList MeasResultList2NR OPTIONAL, ... } --TAG-HANDOVER-PREPARATION-INFORMATION-STOP -- ASN1STOP

Table 2 includes field descriptions for the Handover PreparationInformation of Table 1.

TABLE 2 HandoverPreparationInformation field descriptions as-ContextLocal RAN context required by the target gNB. sourceConfig The radioresource configuration as used in the source cell. This field is absentwhen the source base station uses the full configuration option.rrm-Config Local RAN context used mainly for RRM purposes.ue-CapabilityRAT-List The UE radio access related capabilitiesconcerning RATs supported by the UE. FFS whether certain capabilitiesare mandatory to provide by source e.g., of target and/or source RAT.

31

At block 816, the source base station sends the first interface messageto the target base station or sends the first interface message to a CN(core network) node. Thus, the source base station (e.g., the gNB basestation 121), send the first interface message to the target basestation (e.g., the gNB base station 123, the ng-eNB base station 122 orthe eNB base station 124).

At block 818, in response to sending the first interface message, thesource base station receives a second interface message sent by thetarget base station or the CN node. The second interface messageincludes information, such as the information of the RRC messagedescribed for FIG. 4.

At block 820, the source base station transmits a Radio Resource Control(RRC) message to the UE. In implementations, the source base stationanalyzes the combination of factors associated with performing thehandover that affect the first plurality of configurations (e.g., thetype of the target base station, a carrier frequency of the target basestation, a core network of the target base station, a manufacturer,supported protocols and protocol versions, etc.) to assemble and/ormodify the RRC message transmitted to the UE. In response to receivingthe RRC message, the UE may release a MAC or RLC entity.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method for configuring a handover from aperspective of a target base station and relating to methods of FIGS. 3,8-1, and 8-2. Method 900 of FIG. 9 is from the perspective of a targetbase station corresponding to methods 300 and 800 in which a source basestation configures a handover. Here the portion of method 300 thatcorresponds to method 900 is the “Don't Use Delta” branch (to block 310)and for method 800, in which the source base station also determines tonot use the delta configuration. Method 900 may work in conjunctionwith, wholly or in part, with methods 300 or 800.

At block 902, a target base station receives a first interface messagefrom a source base station or a CN node. For example, the firstinterface message may include a handover request message requestinghanding over the UE to the target base station, such as that describedwith reference to block 304, block 306, and block 310 of FIG. 3 and/orblock 810, block 812, block 814, and block 816 of FIG. 8-1 and FIG. 8-2.The first interface message may also include a Handover PreparationInformation message.

At block 904, the target base station determines to use a fullconfiguration and includes an indicator in the RRC message. The targetbase station can make this determination based on the HandoverPreparation Information message not including the first plurality ofconfigurations noted in blocks 402 or 502. Thus, if the first pluralityof configurations sent at block 402 or 502 are not included (or anindication of full configuration is received), the target base station(e.g., the handover manager 266) determines to include the fullconfiguration in the second configuration message.

At block 906, the target base station sends, to the source base stationor the CN node, a second interface message responding to a firstinterface message, such as that described with reference to block 818 ofFIG. 8-2. This second interface message may be a Handover RequestAcknowledge message. In one example, this Handover Request Acknowledgemessage can be an Xn message (3GPP TS 38.423) sent by the target basestation to the source base station or be a NG message (3GPP TS 38.413)sent by the target to the CN node).

33

FIGS. 10-1 and 10-2 illustrate example method(s) 1000 that are from theperspective of a source base station. Example method(s) 1000 can beemployed for performing a handover as generally related to configuringand/or processing messages that include optional and/or conditionallypresent fields based on one or more factors. Method 1000 may work inconjunction with, wholly or in part, with methods 300, 400, 500, or 800.

At block 1002, a source base station communicates with a user equipmentbased on a first plurality of configurations corresponding to a currentuser equipment configuration of the user equipment, such as thatdescribed with reference to block 404 of FIG. 4-1, block 504 of FIG.5-1, and/or block 804 of FIG. 8-1. For example, the gNB base station 121communicates with the UE 111 over wireless links 131. As anotherexample, the ng-eNB base station 122 communicates with the UE 111 overthe wireless link 132.

At block 1004, the source base station determines to perform a handoverof the user equipment from a source base station to a target basestation, such as that described with reference to block 302 of FIG. 3,block 408 of FIG. 4-1, block 508 of FIG. 5-1, and/or block 808 of FIG.8-1. To illustrate, the gNB base station 121 determines to hand over theUE 111 to the gNB base station 123 or the ng-eNB base station 122.Alternately or additionally, the ng-eNB base station 122 determines tohand over the UE 111 to the eNB base station 124 or the gNB base station123. In some implementations, the eNB base station 124 determines tohand over to the gNB base station 121 or the gNB base station 123.

At block 1006, the source base station determines one or more factorsassociated with performing the handover that affect the first pluralityof configurations, such as that described with reference to block 306 ofFIG. 3. To illustrate, the source base station, such as the gNB basestation 121, determines any number and combination of factors, such asthe type of the target base station (e.g., gNB, eNB, ng-eNB), a carrierfrequency of the target base station, a core network of the target basestation, a manufacturer, supported protocols and protocol versions, etc.Alternately or additionally, determining the one or more factors caninclude determining a type of the source base station (e.g., gNB, eNB,ng-eNB). The target base station and/or the source base station can beany suitable type of a base station, such as the gNB base station 123,the ng-eNB base station 122, the eNB base station 124, etc.

At block 1008, which may be combined with block 1010, the source basestation prepares a Handover Preparation Information message bydetermining, based on the one or more factors, whether to include one ormore conditionally present fields in the Handover PreparationInformation message, such as that described with reference to block 308or block 310 of FIG. 3, block 412 and block 414 of FIG. 4-2, block 512and block 514 of FIG. 5-2, or block 812 and block 814 of FIG. 8-2. Inone example, the source base station is the gNB base station 121, thetarget base station is the gNB base station 123, and the gNB basestation 121 prepares the Handover Preparation Information message bydetermining to include the one or more conditionally present fields inthe Handover Preparation Information message. In another example, thesource base station is the eNB base station 124, the target base stationis the gNB base station 123, and the eNB base station 124 prepares theHandover Preparation Information message by determining to exclude atleast one of the one or more conditionally present fields from theHandover Preparation Information message. In yet another example, thesource base station is the ng-eNB base station 122, the target basestation is the gNB base station 123, and the ng-eNB base station 122prepares the Handover Preparation Information message by determining tooptionally include at least one of the one or more conditionally presentfields from the Handover Preparation Information message. Theconditionally present fields can be any suitable type of field, such asthe first plurality of configurations. Alternately or additionally theconditionally present fields can include portions, or all of, an RRCreconfiguration message.

At block 1010, the source base station generates a first interfacemessage that includes the prepared Handover Preparation Informationmessage, such as that described with reference to block 1008, block 308or block 310 of FIG. 3, block 412 and block 414 of FIG. 4-2, block 512and block 514 of FIG. 5-2, or block 812 and block 814 of FIG. 8-2.Accordingly, at block 1012, the source base station sends the firstinterface message to the target base station. Thus, in at least oneexample, the ng-eNB base station 122 sends the first interface messageto the gNB base station 123. In another example, the gNB base station121 sends the first interface message to the gNB base station 123.Alternately or additionally, the source base station sends the firstinterface message to a CN node, such as EPC 160 and/or MME 162. Thus, itis to be appreciated that various combinations of source base stations,target base stations, and/or core networks can be utilized in performingthe handover, such as by the gNB base station 121 sending the firstinterface message to the ng-eNB base station 122, by the gNB basestation 121 sending the first interface message to AMF 152, etc.

At block 1014, the source base station receives a second interfacemessage that includes an RRC message, such as that described withreference to block 418 of FIG. 4-2, block 518 of FIG. 5-2, or block 818of FIG. 8-2. The gNB base station 121, for example, receives the secondinterface message from the gNB base station 123 or the ng-eNB basestation 122. The ng-eNB base station 122, as another example, receivesthe second interface message from the gNB base station 123. As yetanother example, the gNB base station 121 receives the second interfacemessage from 5G Core Network (150) and/or AMF (152). Thus, as furtherdescribed herein, performing the handover can include receiving thesecond interface message from a CN node.

In response to receiving the second interface message, the source basestation determines whether to use configuration information received inthe second interface message as a delta configuration that correspondsto modifying the first plurality of configurations with theconfiguration information, or a full configuration that corresponds toreplacing the first plurality of configurations with the configurationinformation, for performing the handover of the user equipment at block1016, with reference to block 312 of FIG. 3, block 420 of FIG. 4-2,block 520 of FIG. 5-2, and/or block 820 of FIG. 802. At times, block1016 may be combined with block 1018 and/or block 1020. As one exampleof determining, the eNB base station 124 determines that the RRC messageexcludes a full configuration indicator and determines to use theconfiguration information as the delta configuration. As anotherexample, the gNB base station 121 determines that the RRC messageincludes the full configuration indicator and determines to use theconfiguration information as the full configuration. In one or moreimplementations, the source base station analyzes the one or morefactors associated with performing the handover to determine whether touse the configuration information received in the second interfacemessage as the delta configuration or the full configuration

At block 1018, the source base station modifies the RRC message based onthe determining whether to use the configuration information as thedelta configuration or the full configuration, with reference to block312 of FIG. 3, block 420 of FIG. 4-2, block 520 of FIG. 5-2, and/orblock 820 of FIG. 802. To illustrate, and with reference to block 1016,the eNB base station 124 configures the RRC message to exclude the fullconfiguration indicator. As another example, the gNB base station 121configures the RRC message to include the full configuration indicator.

At block 1020, the source base station transmits, to the user equipment,the modified RRC message to direct the user equipment to modify thecurrent user equipment configuration, based on the configurationinformation, for the performing the handover, with reference to block312 of FIG. 3, block 420 of FIG. 4-2, block 520 of FIG. 5-2, and/orblock 820 of FIG. 802. This can include the ng-eNB base station 122transmitting the configured RRC message to the UE 111, the gNB basestation 121 transmitting the configured RRC to UE 111, and so forth. Asfurther described herein, the RRC message can include a RRC handovercommand message, such as an RRCConnectionReconfiguration message forhandover from NR to E-UTRA (e.g., from gNB base station 121 to ng-eNBbase station 122 or eNB 124) or an RRCReconfiguration message forhandover from E-UTRA to NR (e.g., from ng-eNB base station 122 or eNBbase station 124 to gNB base station 121) or for handover from NR to NR(e.g., from gNB base station 121 to gNB base station 123).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method 1100 that is from the perspectiveof a target base station. Example method(s) 1100 can be employed forperforming a handover as generally related to configuring and/orprocessing messages that include optional and/or conditionally presentfields based on one or more factors. Method 1000 may work in conjunctionwith, wholly or in part, methods 300, 600, 700, or 900.

At block 1102, a target base station receives a first interface messageassociated with a handover request to perform a handover a userequipment from a source base station to a target base station, the firstinterface message including a Handover Preparation Information message,such as that described with reference to block 308 or block 310 of FIG.3, block 602 of FIG. 6, block 702 of FIG. 7, or block 902 of FIG. 9. ThegNB base station 123, for instance, receives the first interface messagefrom the gNB base station 121 or the ng-eNB base station 122. As anotherexample, the eNB base station 124 receives the first interface messagefrom the gNB base station 121. Thus, the target base station and thesource base station can be any combination of a 5G NR base station, aneNB base station, an ng-eNB base station, and so forth.

At block 1104, the target base station determines a configuration of theHandover Preparation Information message by determining whether theHandover Preparation Information message includes one or moreconditionally present fields, such as that described with reference toblock 604 and block 606 of FIG. 6, block 704 and block 706 of FIG. 7, orblock 904 and block 906 of FIG. 9. In implementations, block 1104 may becombined with block 1106 and block 1108. For example, the eNB basestation 124 determines that the Handover Preparation Information messageexcludes a plurality of configurations corresponding to a current userequipment configuration of the user equipment associated with thehandover. Alternately or additionally, in response to determining theHandover Preparation Information excludes the conditionally presentplurality of configurations, the eNB base station 124 determines toperform the handover using a delta configuration. As another example,the gNB base station 123 determines that the Handover PreparationInformation message includes the plurality of configurationscorresponding to the current user equipment configuration and,alternately or additionally, determines to perform the handover using afull configuration.

At block 1106, the target base station prepares a second interfacemessage based on the determining whether the Handover Preparationinformation message includes the one or more conditionally presentfields, such as that described with reference to block 604 and block 606of FIG. 6, block 704 and block 706 of FIG. 7, or block 904 and block 906of FIG. 9. For example, in some instances where the second interfacemessage includes an RRC message, the eNB base station 124 configures thesecond interface message by excluding a full configuration indicatorfrom the RRC message based on determining the Handover PreparationInformation message includes the plurality of configurations. As anotherexample, the gNB base station 123 configures the second interfacemessage by including the full configuration indicator in the RRC messagebased on determining the Handover Preparation Information messageexcludes the plurality of configurations.

With reference to block 604 of FIG. 6, block 704 of FIG. 7, or block 904of FIG. 9, and in response to configuring the second interface message,the target base station transmits the second interface message toacknowledge the handover request at block 1108. For example, the gNBbase station 123 transmits the second interface message to the gNB basestation 121 and/or the ng-eNB base station 122.

Although aspects for configuring a handover have been described inlanguage specific to features and/or methods, the subject of theappended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features ormethods described. Rather, the specific features and methods aredisclosed as example implementations of the inter-radio accesstechnology handover, and other equivalent features and methods areintended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Further, variousaspects are described, and it is to be appreciated that each describedaspect can be implemented independently or in connection with one ormore other described aspects.

1. A method for performing a handover from a source base station to atarget base station, the method comprising: communicating, by the sourcebase station, with a user equipment based on a first plurality ofconfigurations corresponding to a current user equipment configurationof the user equipment; determining, based on a measurement report fromthe user equipment, to perform the handover of the user equipment fromthe source base station to the target base station; determining one ormore factors associated with performing the handover that affect thefirst plurality of configurations; preparing a Handover PreparationInformation message by determining, based on the one or more factors,whether to include one or more conditionally present fields in theHandover Preparation Information message; generating a first interfacemessage that includes the prepared Handover Preparation Informationmessage; and sending, to the target base station, the first interfacemessage.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:receiving, by the source base station, a second interface message, thesecond interface message including a radio resource control message;determining, by the source base station, whether to use configurationinformation received in the second interface message as a deltaconfiguration that corresponds to modifying the first plurality ofconfigurations with the configuration information, or a fullconfiguration that corresponds to replacing the first plurality ofconfigurations with the configuration information, for performing thehandover of the user equipment; modifying the radio resource controlmessage based on the determining whether to use the configurationinformation as the delta configuration or the full configuration; andtransmitting, to the user equipment, the modified radio resource controlmessage to direct the user equipment to modify the current userequipment configuration, based on the configuration information, for theperforming the handover.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2, whereinthe determining whether to use the configuration information received inthe second interface message as the delta configuration or the fullconfiguration comprises analyzing one or more of: a type of the targetbase station; a manufacturer of the target base station; a supportedprotocol of the target base station; a carrier frequency of the targetbase station; or a core network of the target base station.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining the one or morefactors comprises: determining the source base station is a first fifthgeneration new radio base station and the target base station is asecond fifth generation new radio base station, and wherein thepreparing the Handover Preparation Information message comprises:determining to include the one or more conditionally present fields inthe Handover Preparation Information message based on the determiningthe source base station is the first fifth generation new radio basestation and the target base station is the second fifth generation newradio base station.
 5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein thedetermining to include the one or more conditionally present fieldscomprises: determining to include the first plurality of configurationsin the Handover Preparation Information message.
 6. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the determining the one or more factorscomprises: determining the source base station is an evolved NodeB basestation and the target base station is a fifth-generation new radio basestation, and wherein the preparing the Handover Preparation Informationmessage comprises determining to exclude at least one of the one or moreconditionally present fields from the Handover Preparation Informationmessage based on the determining the source base station is the evolvedNodeB base station and the target base station is the fifth generationnew radio base station.
 7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein thedetermining to exclude the at least one of the one or more conditionallypresent fields comprises determining to exclude the first plurality ofconfigurations from the Handover Preparation Information message.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining the one or morefactors comprises: determining the source base station is anext-generation evolved NodeB base station and the target base stationis a fifth-generation new radio base station, and wherein the preparingthe Handover Preparation Information message comprises determining toinclude at least one of the one or more conditionally present fieldsfrom the Handover Preparation Information message based on thedetermining the source base station is the next-generation evolved NodeBbase station and the target base station is the fifth generation newradio base station.
 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein thedetermining the one or more factors associated with the performing thehandover that affect the first plurality of configurations comprisesanalyzing one or more of: a type of the target base station; amanufacturer of the target base station; a supported protocol of thetarget base station; a carrier frequency of the target base station; ora core network of the target base station.
 10. A method for performing ahandover of a user equipment from a source base station to a target basestation, the method comprising: receiving, by the target base station, afirst interface message associated with a handover request to performthe handover of the user equipment from the source base station to thetarget base station, the first interface message including a HandoverPreparation Information message; determining, by the target basestation, a configuration from the Handover Preparation Informationmessage by determining whether the Handover Preparation Informationmessage includes one or more conditionally present fields; preparing asecond interface message based on the determining whether the HandoverPreparation Information message includes the one or more conditionallypresent fields; and transmitting, by the target base station, the secondinterface message to acknowledge the handover request.
 11. The method asrecited in claim 10, wherein the determining whether the HandoverPreparation Information message includes the one or more conditionallypresent fields comprises: determining the Handover PreparationInformation message includes a plurality of configurations correspondingto a current user equipment configuration of the user equipment, andwherein the preparing the second interface message comprises: excludinga full configuration indicator from the second interface message basedon the determining the Handover Preparation Information message includesthe plurality of configurations.
 12. The method as recited in claim 11,wherein the second interface message includes a radio resource controlmessage, and wherein the excluding the full configuration indicator inthe second interface message comprises excluding the full configurationindicator from the radio resource control message.
 13. The method asrecited in claim 10, wherein the determining whether the HandoverPreparation Information message includes the one or more conditionallypresent fields comprises: determining that the Handover PreparationInformation message excludes the one or more conditionally presentfields, and wherein the preparing the second interface messagecomprises: including a full configuration indicator from the secondinterface message based on the determining that the Handover PreparationInformation message excludes the one or more conditionally presentfields.
 14. A base station apparatus comprising: a wireless transceiver;a processor; and computer-readable storage media comprising instructionsto implement a handover manager, the handover manager, responsive toexecution by the processor, directing the base station apparatus toperform operations comprising: communicating, by the base stationapparatus, with a user equipment based on a first plurality ofconfigurations corresponding to a current user equipment configurationof the user equipment; determining, based on a measurement report fromthe user equipment, to perform a handover of the user equipment from asource base station to a target base station; determining one or morefactors associated with performing the handover that affect the firstplurality of configurations; preparing a Handover PreparationInformation message by determining, based on the one or more factors,whether to include one or more conditionally present fields in theHandover Preparation Information message; generating a first interfacemessage that includes the prepared Handover Preparation Informationmessage; and sending, to the target base station, the first interfacemessage.
 15. The base station apparatus as recited in claim 14, whereinthe determining the one or more factors comprises: receiving, by thebase station apparatus, a second interface message, the second interfacemessage including a radio resource control message; determining, by thebase station apparatus, whether to use configuration informationreceived in the second interface message as a delta configuration thatcorresponds to modifying the first plurality of configurations with theconfiguration information, or a full configuration that corresponds toreplacing the first plurality of configurations with the configurationinformation, for performing the handover of the user equipment;modifying the radio resource control message based on the determiningwhether to use the configuration information as the delta configurationor the full configuration; and transmitting, to the user equipment, themodified radio resource control message to direct the user equipment tomodify the current user equipment configuration, based on theconfiguration information, for the performing the handover.
 16. The basestation apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the determining theone or more factors comprises: determining the source base station is afirst fifth generation new radio base station and the target basestation is a second fifth generation new radio base station, and whereinthe preparing the Handover Preparation Information message comprises:determining to include the one or more conditionally present fields inthe Handover Preparation Information message based on the determiningthe source base station is the first fifth generation new radio basestation and the target base station is the second fifth generation newradio base station.
 17. The base station apparatus as recited in claim14, wherein the determining the one or more factors comprisesdetermining the source base station is an evolved universal terrestrialradio access base station and the target base station is afifth-generation new radio base station, and wherein the preparing theHandover Preparation Information message comprises determining toexclude the one or more conditionally present fields from the HandoverPreparation Information message.
 18. The base station apparatus asrecited in claim 17, wherein the determining to exclude the one or moreconditionally present fields comprises determining to exclude at leastone conditionally present user equipment capability information elementfrom the Handover Preparation Information message.
 19. The base stationapparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the preparing the RadioResource control message comprises: determining to use the fullconfiguration; and including a full configuration indicator in the radioresource control message.
 20. The base station apparatus as recited inclaim 15, wherein the determining the one or more factors comprises:determining the source base station is a next-generation evolved NodeBbase station and the target base station is a fifth-generation new radiobase station, and wherein the preparing the Handover PreparationInformation message comprises: determining to include the one or moreconditionally present fields in the Handover Preparation Informationmessage based on the determining the source base station is thenext-generation evolved NodeB base station and the target base stationis the fifth-generation new radio base station.